Big changes for drivers in 2025 and 2026

Some of the changes started to apply in July 2025, but other changes followed on from 1 January 2026, mainly concerning online applications for the first driving licence, the extension of the driving licence, the registration of mentors for young drivers and medical examinations for older drivers. We’ll look at these in the article too.

Quick summary

• From 2026, more tasks can be handled through the Transport Portal than before, including applying for a first driving licence or extending it.
• You don’t always have to pick up your licence at the office anymore, it can also be delivered to a drop-off point or box.
• For non-injury accidents, the limit for a compulsory call to the police has been increased to 200,000.
• Older drivers will now have their first regular medical check-up when they are 70 and every two years thereafter.
• The Road Transport Inspectorate has wider inspection powers and can deal with selected infringements on the spot.

Are you dealing with an accident, a fine, a dispute with your insurance company or another traffic problem? Contact us. We will assess your situation, suggest a course of action and help you communicate with the authority, police or insurance company.

What all has changed

Anyone who has ever changed a driver’s license, crashed a car or bought a used car knows how lengthy or confusing some of the tasks can be. That’s exactly what the new rules have taken aim at – the aim is to simplify, digitise and make traffic control more efficient.

An overview of the most important changes:

• Police are only called to a non-injury accident when the damage exceeds CZK 200,000 – the limit for the mandatory call to the police for a traffic accident is increased. If no one is injured and damage to vehicles or third party property does not exceed CZK 200,000, it is sufficient to fill in an accident report.
• The driving licence will arrive at the dispensing box – you can have the new licence sent to AlzaBox, for example – a physical visit to the office is no longer necessary even when collecting it. Just apply via the Transport Portal.
• Apply for your first licence or extension online – from 2026, you can also apply for your first licence or extension via the Transport Portal. This typically applies to driving school graduates who meet the legal requirements and have the necessary details on their records.
• You don’t always have to wait for a plastic card once the licence has been granted – as long as the new licence is entered on the driving register, the driver can drive for a limited period of time before physically collecting the licence. However, the plastic card is still practically essential for trips abroad.
• Mentors for 17-year-old drivers can be dealt with online – the L17 system simplifies the registration of mentors. Instead of visiting the office, some tasks can be done via the Transport Portal.
• Health checks for older drivers are being brought forward – from 2026, the first compulsory periodic health check for older drivers will be brought forward to age 70 and repeated every two years thereafter.
• Registration checks are (almost) abolished – if a vehicle has a valid MOT, there is no longer a need to pass a registration check on re-titling. The validity of the check is now extended to 2 years.
• The Road Transport Inspectorate is created – the new inspection arm will have extensive powers: to stop a vehicle, fine it and ban it from further driving. It will inspect not only trucks but also ordinary passenger cars.
• Changes for drivers of “fast tractors” – so-called “tatractors” will no longer be driven by 17-year-olds with a T-group. A “C” licence and a professional licence are now required – as for lorries.
• Fewer signs and clearer routes during closures – new signage will simplify detours and reduce the number of directional signs on the roads. We take inspiration from Germany, where such a system is already in place.

New rules for accidents – practical scenarios and mistakes that don’t pay

Until now, the rule was that you only had to call the police to an accident if the damage to vehicles or property exceeded CZK 100,000, if there were injuries or if there was no agreement on fault. In other cases, it is sufficient to draw up an accident report with the other party involved in the accident. The existing conditions still apply, but the amount of damages has doubled. You should therefore only call the police if you have incurred damage of CZK 200,000 or more.

It sounds simple, but in practice there can be a few snags. For example – what if you are not sure about the amount of damage? In modern cars, even a scratched bumper can mean tens of thousands of crowns. And if it later turns out that the damage exceeded the legal limit, the insurance company may refuse to pay or may claim retrospectively. In such a case, failure to pay the police can become very expensive.

Recommendation? If you’re not sure, call the police instead. This is also true if the other driver seems unsure, changes statements or refuses to sign the accident report. The police will help resolve the matter objectively and your legal position will be much stronger.

The accident report no longer has to be a paper record. The rules also provide for the possibility of making a joint record electronically via a designated user interface. Whether you choose paper or electronic form, always make sure that the record contains all the essential information: location, date and time of the accident, identification of the parties and vehicles involved, description of the course, identification of visible damage, drawing or photo documentation, and signatures or other acknowledgement of the parties.

Replacing a driver’s licence – how to do it step by step and what not to underestimate

If your licence is expiring, you have lost it or it has been stolen, you no longer have to run around the authorities. From July 2025, you can apply for a new licence online and it will arrive at your local ticket office. Simply log in to the Transport Portal, where you register using your bank identity, eGovernment mobile key or eObčanka.

The application will pre-populate itself – including a recent photo from the population register and a signature. You just choose which of the possible 10,000 locations the card should be delivered to (e.g. AlzaBox or a branch of the Czech Post). You pay the fee online and collect your licence without waiting. You don’t have to return the old one, even when you go to get a new one because it’s expired.

Not only can you exchange an expired, lost or stolen licence online, but you can also apply for a first licence or an extension. In practice, this will be especially appreciated by driving school graduates who do not have to automatically go to the office to apply after passing their test.

It is also now the case that it is not always necessary to wait for a physical plastic card after the driving licence has been granted. As long as the licence is entered in the driving register, the driver can drive for a limited period of time without a physical card. In the case of an electronically submitted application, the driver is usually notified of the registration by e-mail or SMS.

But remember: you must carry the plastic card with you when travelling abroad. Police abroad do not have access to the Czech database. And if you have changed your details (e.g. surname), make sure they are consistent with your driving licence – otherwise there may be complications, for example when renting a car or arranging insurance.

Mentors for drivers aged 17 and over: now easier online

The L17 scheme, the possibility to drive a car from the age of 17 under the supervision of a mentor, remains. But from 2026, the paperwork around mentor registration will be simplified. Some tasks can be handled via the Transport Portal, so there is no need to deal with everything in person at the office.

The mentor must still meet the statutory conditions. It is therefore not enough just to have the consent of a parent or friend. This is a person who is there to supervise the learner driver and help him or her to develop safe driving habits. If a young driver is using the L17 scheme, they should always check before driving that a particular mentor is properly registered and that all the conditions for driving are met.

Health checks for seniors from 2026

From 1 January 2026, the rules for regular medical examinations for older drivers have changed. The first compulsory regular check-up will now be pushed back to age 70. After that, the driver must have it every two years.

The change is mainly to make life easier for senior drivers and reduce the amount of paperwork. For assessments issued from 2026 onwards, police and other authorised inspection bodies can verify medical fitness electronically. As a rule, the driver does not have to carry a new certificate with him or her at all times.

But beware of older assessments. If the medical certificate was issued before 31 December 2025, the driver must carry it with him at all times when driving and produce it when called upon. Therefore, the switch to electronic verification does not automatically apply to all previously issued certificates.

New rules on record checks

The registration check applies to you whenever you sell or buy a used car. It is a compulsory step when transferring a car to a new owner – it checks that the information on the registration certificate corresponds to the actual condition of the vehicle. It is a quick but essential check at a technical inspection station(STK), which must be carried out by everyone who changes ownership of a vehicle. During this check, the MOT testers will compare the information on the documents (e.g. VIN or engine type) with what they actually find when they check the car.

Until recently, the registration check was only valid for 30 days. Since March 2023, the validity period has been extended to one year – and now, thanks to an amendment to the Road Act, it will be valid for two years. The aim of the change is to simplify the whole process when selling or buying a car.

Thanks to the changes, some of the unnecessary paperwork involved in reassigning a vehicle is eliminated. However, the registration check is not abolished completely – rather, its importance is reduced by linking it more closely to the regular technical inspection. If the vehicle has a valid MOT, the registration data verification is usually included in the MOT and a separate registration check will often not be necessary. However, it always depends on the specific situation and the registration procedure being carried out on the vehicle. For example, you can check information on previous checks and mileage status via the Tachometer Check service.

Road Traffic Inspection – who can stop you and what they check

From July 2025, there is a new player on the roads: the Road Traffic Inspectorate. Don’t be fooled – it’s not a new authority, but a rebranded Road Traffic Service Centre that has been given expanded powers. Inspectors are no longer just an auxiliary force – they can now stop a vehicle themselves, carry out an inspection and issue a fine.

Their main objective is to oversee fairness in transport. They will focus on the compliance of hauliers with their obligations, overloaded vehicles, the state of speedometers or the roadworthiness of vehicles. New mobile units – including the so-called mobile STK, which can carry out basic technical checks on the spot – are also used for this purpose. There are currently 22 of these on the roads.

Inspectors can also inspect ordinary passenger cars if they suspect a breach of the rules – for example, non-compliance with weight limits, a safety hazard or irregularities in registration.

Changes to signage – where the signs will go and what the new symbols mean

You may have noticed some road signs disappearing or new ones appearing that you haven’t seen before. From July 2025, an amendment to the Traffic Regulation Ordinance is in force to simplify road signs and make them clearer.

The changes mainly affect directional signs, which have often been unnecessarily repeated or complicatedly placed on each branch of an intersection. The Ministry of Transport is now reducing the number of directional signs in situations where such a sign can be placed elsewhere than on the right-hand side of the road of each branch of the intersection, as is the case now. There will also be fewer structures on which signs hang, which cyclists in particular will appreciate – less risk of collision and better orientation.

Among the new features are signs indicating alternate routes on motorways – specifically designed for unexpected closures. Drivers will be better able to indicate suitable routes off the motorway without relying on their own navigation. Alternate routes are pre-selected and designated for emergencies on specific roads.

Low Emission Zone signs have also been changed – now you no longer need an emissions plaque on your windscreen, the authorities will verify the information electronically. The result should be less confusion and more clarity for all road users.

How to protect yourself in the event of a dispute or insurance claim

Changes in traffic regulations bring with them not only greater convenience, but also new risks – especially if there is an accident or dispute with an insurance company. What can you do to be sure of the fender benders?

1. Always keep the evidence. Whether it’s a car accident or a roadworthiness check, photo documentation is essential. Take pictures not only of the damage, but also of the license plate, the traffic situation, and any damage to surrounding property.
2. Write the accident report carefully. Even though the police may not be called, the accident form is still a key piece of evidence. Include all the details, including the date, time, and description of the incident. If you are unsure of fault, do not sign anything under duress.
3. Have everything confirmed in writing. This also applies when replacing a licence or dealing with a fine. For online communications, keep a receipt of application or payment.

And if you get into a dispute? Don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer. In many cases, a protracted negotiation with the insurance company or unexpected penalties can be avoided with just one well-articulated call or advice from a professional.

An example from our law practice

Mr. Malina contacted us after a car accident in a shopping center parking lot. The other driver initially admitted liability, filed an accident report together, and did not call the police. Later, however, he began to claim that the damage to the vehicle was caused by other means, and the insurance company began to reduce the insurance benefit because of the unclear description of the accident.

First, we reviewed the accident record, photos of the scene, communications with the insurance company, and the repair estimate. We then completed the legal argument, pointed out inconsistencies in the other driver’s claim, and prepared an appeal to the insurance company to reconsider its position. As a result, we were able to obtain payment of a substantial portion of the insurance claim without the need for litigation.

There is a simple rule of thumb from cases like this: even if the accident seems clear on the scene, it pays to have good photo documentation, an accurate description of the process, and not to sign a form that you don’t understand or agree with.

Summary

The changes for drivers didn’t just start and end in July 2025. From mid-2025, the delivery of driving licences has been simplified, the limit for compulsory police call-outs to certain accidents has been increased, the usefulness of record checks has been extended and the Road Traffic Inspectorate has been created with wider enforcement powers.

From 2026, these changes were followed by further digitisation. The Transport Portal can also be used to apply for a first driving licence or its extension, it is easier to register mentors for 17-year-old drivers and the rules for medical examinations for senior citizens are also changing. The first regular check-up for older drivers has been postponed to age 70 and electronic verification of medical fitness is envisaged for newly issued assessments.

In practice, this means fewer office visits and more online services, but also more responsibility for drivers. In the case of an accident, it is necessary to estimate the damage correctly and fill in the record carefully, and with the new digital services, it is necessary to check whether the licence is actually already on the register. If you are unsure whether you need to call the police, undergo a record check or provide a medical certificate in a particular situation, it pays to check the rules in advance. One quick check can prevent a fine, problems with the insurance company or an unnecessary wait at the office.